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T O P I C R E V I E W

Robert Pearlman

New donations mean work should start soon on rocket

By Kenneth Kesner

First, let's set the record straight: There is only one authentic Saturn V rocket at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, and it's not the tall one standing out by Interstate 565. That's just a symbol, a hollow shell, a sort of billboard put up a few years ago.

Tuesday afternoon, Bill Gurley was standing beside the real Saturn V rocket assembly, all 350-plus feet of it, at the rear of the Space Center, near much, much smaller examples of its kind in the Rocket Park. This Saturn V is one of only three examples left of the engine that pushed man to the moon in the 1960s and early '70s. It has been lying here for more than 30 years, exposed to the elements.

Gurley, a senior vice president at Science Applications International Corp., is heading an effort to preserve the rocket. As newly named chairman of the Save the Saturn campaign, a wing of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center Foundation, he is raising money to restore the Saturn V before it rusts away.

"I just have a lot of passion for this wonderful machine," Gurley said. "It's one of the most amazing projects that's ever taken place."

I know it well from my stays at Space Camp. Most of their spacecrafts are getting weathered. The Skylab as well. I was hoping they could come up with an enclosement like the Apollo Center at KSC which seems a perfect way to preserve the Saturn V and have plently of space for extras exhibits.

The new standing Saturn V, I was told is not an exact replica either. There were certain compromises made in the proportions to get a free-standing rocket that size and I believe it's slightly shorter as well.

Cliff

MrSpace86

The Houston Saturn V is the one needs it the most. It is the only Saturn V that is made fully of flight ready components. What is the status on its restoration?

-Rodrigo

DavidH

The USS&RC Skylab is now "stored" in the back corner of a parking lot, away from public view.My team is trying desperately to convince our boss that he should convince the space museum to give it to us for use as our office. So far, no luck.

Gilbert

I visited the Space Center in Huntsville a couple of months ago. I spent half an hour or so looking over the Saturn V. It really is beginning to look weathered. The restoration efforts are certainly needed. My dream job would be to restore that rocket one square inch at a time.

Gilbert

To DavidH,Your boss must have No imagination!

pokey

Will let CollectSpace know about any news on the JSC Saturn V. It was surveyed a few years ago, but no word on the hard/$$ part.